Hygiene," on "Technical Education" and "Kindergartens," and concluded as follows:

I now retire from an office which I entered with a great deal of hesitancy and many forebodings. I brought to it many firm convictions, the growth of a decade spent in the schoolroom; and according to these convictions have I labored to perfect our system of education; and I feel that I need not fear the verdict of the future. I have at least succeeded in equalizing somewhat the educational facilities enjoyed by the districts of the State, and in rationalizing, in some measure, the system of instruction, and bringing it somewhat more in harmony with the " new education."

The appendix contained a manual of suggestions for teaching the State course of study, including an exposition of the "Grube system" of teaching arithmetic to beginners, and a full course of elementary lessons in local geography, and botany. It contained also an explanation of the "Kindergarten," an essay on "The Nervous System as affected by School Life," by Dr. D. F. Lincoln, of Boston; a report of the State Board of Examination, of the State Normal School, of the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and Blind, and the report of the Regents of the University.

40. SCHOOL LEGISLATION, 1876.

The first school legislation during the first week of the session, was a bill taking from the State Board of Education the power of changing text-books, it being evident that a majority of the board were in favor of throwing out McGuffey's series of Readers, and Monteith's series of Geographies.

Mr. Carpenter, Speaker of the Assembly, introduced a bill providing for a State Board of Education, consisting of the Governor, State Superintendent and eight elective members, two from each congressional district; the board so elected to assume the powers of the State Board of Education, the Board of Regents of the University, and the Trustees of the State Normal School. The bill also provided for abolishing State uniformity of text-books, and for giving boards of education and school trustees the power of local adoption. This bill passed the Assembly, but was defeated in the Senate.

Mr. Hopkins introduced a bill providing for "county uniformity" in text-books, which passed both Houses but was pocketed by the Governor.

The section relating to county certificates was amended so as to authorize county boards to issue second and third grade certificates, on an examination in only the following studies: Arithmetic, Grammar, Geography, History, Reading, Writing, Spelling and Methods of Teaching.

John G. Marvin and Paul K. Hubbs were elected by the Democrats.

Superintendent Moulder was twice elected on the Democratic ticket. He declined a nomination by the "Breckenridge" wing of the Democracy in 1862.

In the election of 1862 there were three tickets in the field, and the State Superintendent happened to be the only State officer to be elected. The opposing nominees were Col. Jonathan D. Stevenson, by the "Douglas Democrats;" Rev. O. P. Fitzgerald, by the "Breckenridge Democrats;" John Swett, on the "Union Ticket." The vote stood as follows: Swett, 51,238; Stevenson, 21,514; Fitzgerald, 15,514.

Superintendent Swett was re-elected on the Republican ticket in 1863 by about 20,000 majority over Dr. O. M. Wozencraft, the Democratic nominee, and was renominated in 1867. The canvass was a bitter one on both sides. Rev. O. P. Fitzgerald, the Democratic nominee, was elected by a majority of 1401.

Superintendent Fitzgerald was renominated in 1871, his opponent being Henry N. Bolander, nominated by the Repub

licans. The canvass was quite an exciting one, and resulted in the election of Bolander by 10,000 majority.

In 1875 the opposing candidates were Rev. O. P. Fitzgerald, Democratic nominee, and Dr. Ezra S. Carr, Republican candidate. This was also an abusive canvass. Dr. Carr was elected by a majority of 7000.

It was expected that the office of State Superintendent would be "taken out of politics" by providing for the election at the special judicial election, but this measure only intensified the evil.

SPECIAL HISTORY OF SAN FRANCISCO.

1. SCHOOL REPORTS.

THE first school reports published in pamphlet form by the Board were those of Superintendent O'Grady, 1854 and 1855. The Superintendent reported the average number of pupils to a teacher to be 87; that a uniform series of text-books had been adopted; and that a Teachers' Association had been formed. Superintendent Theller in 1856 reported the following statis

tics:

Teachers, 39; Pupils, 3347.

District No. 1, Mr. Swett, Principal..
District No. 2, Mr. Denman, Principal..
District No. 3, Mr. Ellis Holmes, Principal.

683

580

635

District No. 4, Mr. Ahira Holmes, Principal

733

District No. 5, Mr. Carlton, Principal.
District No. 6, Mr. Morrill, Principal.
District No. 7, Mr. Macy, Principal .

374

200

142

3347

In the Ward Schools there were educated 1421 pupils. The Male Departments of the Ward Schools were taught by male and female instructors, and the Female Department by the ladies of the different religious orders of the city, known as Sisters of Charity, Sisters of Mercy, and Sisters of the Presentation—all of whom had certificates of capability, and were licensed to teach by the late

County Commissioners of Education, and drew their salaries from the city, county and State educational fund.

The school law of 1855 abolished the separation of the school fund, and all these schools have been mingled into one uniform system. Since the 5th of May last there has been no religious, sectarian or denominational doctrine taught in them.

He reported the discipline good, and the instruction satisfactory.

In fusing the "Ward Schools" with the public schools, the following additional teachers were elected:

Principal of District No. 4, Wm. Hammill, vice Ahira Holmes; Principal of District No. 5, Mr. T. S. Dunne, vice Mr. Carlton; District No. 7, Mr. T. C. Leonard, vice Mr. Macy; New School, Thomas S. Myrick; District No. 8, Mr. H. P. Carlton.

By the Consolidation Act, Mr. Pelton, who had been previously elected as County Superintendent, was made, ex officio, City and County Superintendent for one year.

His report contained the first full statistical tables of the schools. He recommended the establishment of evening schools; of a Teachers' Institute; the study of History of the United States; and published the "Course of Study."

The reports of Superintendent Janes for 1857 and 1858 were still more complete.

He reported the weekly Normal School a success, teachers being compelled to attend; recommended the establishment of more evening classes, and treated at length of discipline and methods; gave a short historical sketch of the early schools; treated of methods of teaching; complimented his predecessors in office; opposed May festivals; and reported favorably on the City Normal School, Mr. George W. Minns, Principal; Messrs. Myrick and Swett, assistants.

Superintendent Denman's report, 1861, was longer than any preceding report.

He summed up the improvements in 1860 as follows:

1. Better Classification.

2. The grading into Grammar and Primary Schools.
3. Better accommodations and new buildings.

4. New furniture.

5. School Registers furnished. by the Board.
6. Monthly Reports of pupils.